hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik 
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
constructed a hydroelectric power plant at the dam site
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The prime component of most hydroelectric systems is a dam. A high dam funnels water downward at high pressure to spin turbines, which in turn drive generators to produce high-voltage electricity. Mountainous countries with rushing rivers can produce the most hydroelectricity. Though hydroelectricity comes from a clean and completely renewable energy source, dams disrupt natural systems in a way that disturbs environmentalists.
Examples of hydroelectric in a Sentence
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All of the hotel’s electricity is renewable and comes from hydroelectric stations and wind turbines in Switzerland’s Gotthard region.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Over the last three months, Russia has targeted 11 hydroelectric power plants and 45 heat and power plants, and has hit electrical substations 151 times.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The agency also gets about half of the water in the California Department of Water Resources’ State Water Project, a water storage and delivery system that is connected across 780 miles by canals, pipelines, reservoirs and hydroelectric power facilities, Razavian said.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Solar power generation jumped 34%, pushing it past hydroelectric power, with zero-carbon emitting energy sources now supplying 42% of American power, Rhodium found.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
Over the last three months, Russia has targeted 11 hydroelectric power plants and 45 heat and power plants, and has hit electrical substations 151 times.
—Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The agency also gets about half of the water in the California Department of Water Resources’ State Water Project, a water storage and delivery system that is connected across 780 miles by canals, pipelines, reservoirs and hydroelectric power facilities, Razavian said.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Solar power generation jumped 34%, pushing it past hydroelectric power, with zero-carbon emitting energy sources now supplying 42% of American power, Rhodium found.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hydroelectric
Cite this Entry
“Hydroelectric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroelectric. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hydroelectric
adjective
hy·dro·elec·tric
ˌhī-drō-i-ˈlek-trik
: of or relating to production of electricity by waterpower
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